Hip Hop Mourns Death Of "Rob & Big" Star Big Black

Another tragedy strikes as Christopher “Big Black” Boykin died Tuesday (May 8), TMZ reports. Although the cause of death is unknown, several sources are speculating that the reality television star passed away after suffering a heart attack. He was 45 years old and is survived by his 9-year-old daughter.

Big Black starred alongside pro-skateboarder Rob Dyrdek on the MTV show Rob & Big where they’d go on various adventures. The two had a falling out after the series came to an abrupt end in its third season. In an interview, Dyrdek suggested it was Big Black’s sudden transition from security guard to a famous reality television personality that contributed to the rift. Fortunately, the longtime friends reconnected before his passing.

Dyrdek posted an emotional tribute to Instagram about Big Black, who he calls his “brother.”